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Compassion
January 1, 2008
to be with others when and where they suffer and to
willingly enter into a
fellowship of the weak is God’s way to justice and peace
among people.
Henri Nouwen, Here and Now
I had surgery in December, haven't been in the
hospital since my oldest daughter was born 33 years ago. I
have decided to avoid ever going back! My understanding was
that the surgery would be a little inconvenient which made
me somewhat nervous but felt I was up for it.
The day of the surgery I walked into hospital
admitting. There was a smiling woman behind the desk who
asked me what kind of surgery I was going to have. I slid
the paperwork across the desk to her. As she's reading it
her facial expression changes from pleasant to great
concern. She says to me, "oh my gosh, this is a horrible
surgery, I had that surgery...", she proceeds to tell me
her horrible story in explicit detail giving me the name of
a physical therapist that I will need for several weeks.
This was NOT what my doctor told me!
According to my doctor I would just be in the hospital
overnight and go home early the next day. That conversation
with him was playing over in my head to comfort me. I had
told my husband that he didn't need to stay the night, as
one of us needed a good nights sleep. He was the chosen one
since he would be caring for me during my recovery.
I came out of surgery in so much pain; thankfully I
don't remember it, that my family is calling our closest
friends for prayer. I have a high pain tolerance so this
was so unusual for me. What I do remember though is in my
fogginess after surgery, looking over to see my husband
spending the night. There was nothing he could do about my
pain, there were no words he could say, it was a great
comfort just knowing he was there. He was willing to share
in my suffering.
I am reading Kay Warren's book, "Dangerous Surrender".
She has a chapter on 'The Gift of Presence'. My husband
staying with me at the hospital was a gift! We can give
that gift to others. It costs more than our money or even
our energy and time but speaks so loudly to those who are
hurting. It often doesn't seem like enough. We always want
some tangible way to help.
"The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly
what God is like." (Hebrews 1:3) This year consider giving
'the gift of presence' to someone who is hurting. To the
woman who finds herself widowed, to the mother whose child
has died, to the woman who has been diagnosed with a
life-threatening illness. Quietly sit with them, cry with
them, have tea with them, show them Jesus in you.
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